If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

Re: The article

Let me please dispel my doubts about it.

'1. A dog is a loyal companion' --> why do you use 'a' here and not 'the'
and in a very similar sentence you use THE:
'2. The dog has been domesticated for centuries' --> Why do you use 'the' here and not 'a'?

What is the difference in the second sentence that allows you to use 'the dog' not 'a dog'?

What about:(why 'a' and not 'the')
1. A/the dog is a very friendly animal
2. A/the bicycle is very useful, especially in a/the traffic jam.
3. A/the screwdriver might come in handy while repairing an old radio set.

PS
Thanks. I think that after you have answered I will have a better understanding of using 'the' in this sense. I cannot find a good grammar explanation of using 'the' in this case. This case is rarely mentioned in the article's chapter.

Re: The article

Originally Posted by Birne

'1. A dog is a loyal companion' --> why do you use 'a' here and not 'the'
and in a very similar sentence you use THE:
'2. The dog has been domesticated for centuries' --> Why do you use 'the' here and not 'a'?

What is the difference in the second sentence that allows you to use 'the dog' not 'a dog'?

Read the third line of Barb's post #4

What about:
1. A/the dog is a very friendly animal

Both are possible.

2. A/the bicycle is very useful, especially in a/the traffic jam
3. A/the screwdriver might come in handy while repairing an old radio set.

in #2, we'd normally speak of 'a bicycle', though 'the bicycle' is not impossible if we are speaking formally of this category of things. I suppose the same is true of #3, but I think 'the screwdriver' is most unlikely, especially when followed by the les formal 'might come in handy'.

Re: The article

You could try "One's career is important because it allows one to develop one's interests ..." (if you want to sound rather posh).
Or "Your [choice of] career is important because it allows you to develop your interests ..."

Remember - if you don't use correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing, anything you write will be incorrect.